Great Western Park, a 3,300-home estate was completed in 2022, and was initially granted planning permission in 2008, with a new GP surgery included. 

The planning permission for the new surgery dates back about 10 years but there have been repeated delays.

READ MORE: Delayed GP surgery gets new developer

In April, Woodlands Medical Centre appointed London-based Apsley Henley Med Ltd as the new developer for the long-awaited project.

The AHML team has for over 30 years delivered GP surgeries around the UK from Kent to Scotland.

The appointment follows action taken by the former NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) to identify an alternative developer.

This comes after Assura’s proposal for the new surgery building was deemed unaffordable.

Nick Bastian, director at Apsley Henley Med Ltd, said: “We are looking forward to working with the GP practice, Thames Valley ICB and Vale of White Horse District Council on this exciting scheme. Our team is ready and fired up to get started.”

Partners at the Woodland Medical Centre are hopeful the project can now move forward, while recognising that several “legal hurdles” remain before construction can begin, according to Apsley Henley Med Ltd.

It added that vital next steps include: progressing the required legal agreements between all parties, and completing the land transfer to Vale of White Horse District Council.

Apsley Henley Med Ltd also pledged to continue engagement with Woodlands Medical Centre to keep the project moving and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Didcot and Wantage MP Olly Glover at Great Western Park (Image: Olly Glover)

Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage, has repeatedly pressed for updates on the delayed scheme.

In October, he raised the issue in the House of Commons with former Health Secretary Wes Streeting urging action to help unblock plans. Following this exchange, Mr Streeting promised to ‘find out what’s gone wrong’.

Mr Glover explained at the time that Great Western Park has added more than 3,000 homes to Didcot, with Valley Park under construction adding over 4,000 more. Yet the GP surgery promised in 2008 remains an empty patch of land.

Great Western Park in Didcot (Image: Oxford Mail)

Despite the council having granted planning permission, Woodlands Surgery being prepared to run the new facility, and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) supporting the case for one, progress was stalled with NHS England, leaving local primary care services struggling to cope with increasing demand for appointments.

Mr Glover said earlier: “Residents in Great Western Park have waited far too long for the GP surgery that was promised years ago.

“With a new developer now appointed, this should provide the momentum that is needed to get this project up and running.

“My constituents deserve access to primary care that keeps up with housing growth, and I will continue to press the ICB to make sure that this project finally becomes a reality.”

Didcot West county councillor Ian Snowdon earlier launched a petition calling for a binding timetable and delivery commitment from the ICB and for urgent interim GP capacity measures such as temporary clinical space, additional staff, or expanded appointment capacity.

About £791,000 in developer contributions was secured for the new surgery in 2016.

The Oxfordshire estate is inviting travel trade partners to curate tailored, off-hours experiences for their clients, featuring guided tours, historical talks, and fine dining within the palace itself.

Exclusive tours include access to areas not normally open to the public, outside normal opening hours, offering visitors a quieter, more immersive experience.

Themed talks cover key aspects of the estate’s 300-year history, including its royal connections, military heritage, and notable figures such as Sir Winston Churchill.

Among the standout experiences is Tim’s Tales, hosted by the former butler to the late Duke of Marlborough, who shares personal stories within the ‘Life Below Stairs’ exhibition.

Meanwhile, the Executive Winston Churchill Experience offers a full day exploring the life and legacy of the wartime leader.

Bespoke tours are fully customisable and can include private dining, curator-led insights, and garden tours, with each guest receiving a luxury gift bag.

The Group Partnerships team at Blenheim Palace is available to assist with bookings and trade pricing.

All areas of the estate operate a cashless system, including ticketing, retail and dining outlets.

For more information or to make a booking, contact the team at partnerships@blenheimpalace.com or visit blenheimpalace.com.

The Manor in Garsington has submitted an application to South Oxfordshire District Council, seeking permission for a range of activities under the Licensing Act 2003.

Live music is proposed to be played from noon to 11pm every day, while recorded music would be played from noon to 11pm on weekdays and Sundays, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

The pub also wishes to sell alcohol and provide late-night refreshments: Mon-Thu and Sun from noon to 11pm, and Fri-Sat from noon to 12.30am.

The application, submitted by Xhetan Bushi, is open for public comment until June 26.

People can make representations in writing to the council’s licensing team and can view the full application online or at the council’s offices.

The council has also been busy with a series of new road and traffic regulations across Oxfordshire.

In Stanton St John, speed limits are set to change as part of the wider ‘Quiet Lanes’ programme.

Shepherds Pit Lane will see its speed limit reduced from the national 60mph limit to 20mph along its entire length.

The B4027 Wheatley Road will also see its 30mph limit extended, replacing a section of the current 50mph limit.

In Oxford City, changes have been made to parking restrictions as part of the ‘Cutteslowe School Zone Scheme’.

This includes the removal of a shared-use parking bay on Wren Road and the introduction of two disabled persons parking places.

A new ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ parking prohibition has also been put in place between the new disabled parking places.

South Hinksey will see its village speed limit extended.

Parker Road, from its junction with St Lawrence Road to 60 metres north of its junction with Manor Road, will now have a 20mph speed limit.

In Bainton, the unnamed road through the hamlet will have its speed limit reduced to 20mph, replacing the previous 30mph limit and extending 605 metres into a previously 60mph zone.

Temporary footpath closures have also been announced.

Footpath No.371/7/20 in Stratton Audley will remain closed until February 2027 for public safety due to hazards such as landfill, deep open water, and overgrowth.

In Gosford & Water Eaton, Footpath 229/15/10 will remain closed due to a failed footbridge which requires replacement.

No official alternative route has been provided for this closure.

Further details on all these changes can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council website.

In other news, a new premises licence application has been made by the Salty Dog Whisky Limited for the Salter’s Steamers Office at Folly Bridge, Oxford.

If approved, the licence would allow the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 8am to 9pm each day.

Comments on this application can be made until June 26.

In Witney, a fish and chips restaurant has applied for a variation of its premises licence to allow the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises.

The application by Smarts Fish & Chips Restaurant at 50 Market Square can be inspected by contacting the licensing section of West Oxfordshire District Council.

In Bicester, DRC Bicester Limited has applied to Cherwell District Council to vary the premises licence of The Double Red Duke.

The proposed changes include updating the name of the premises, varying the layout to include a larger outside terrace, and adding one condition to the premises licence.

The full application can be inspected at the council’s offices.

Finally, the Cancer Research UK Race for Life event will lead to temporary road closures and traffic restrictions in Oxford.

The event is set to take place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, and will affect several roads between 9am and 11.45am.

Alternative routes for affected traffic have been suggested via the Oxford Ring Road, Marston Ferry Road, and Marston Road from the north, and via Iffley Road, Donnington Bridge Road, and Abingdon Road from the south and east.